Well Wednesdays defeat all but ended out hopes of a play off spot, the game now versus Bournemouth is more of a keeping face exercise and making sure we finish as high up the league as possible.

Don’t get me wrong we could still make a play off place but the would mean 3 or 4 side above us have a catastrophic run of form between now and the end of season.

Stoke have lost 5 of the last seven fixtures against the Cherries and our current form doesn’t give us much hope against a side vying for a top 2 place in the league

Stoke also have a number of injury doubts, something that has curtailed out promotion push all season.

How have we faired in previous meetings.

Saturdays fixture will be the 32nd meeting between the two sides

Stoke wins 14

Draws 7

Bournemouth wins 10

The last meeting 

Stoke last played at the Vitality stadium back at the end of last season. Stoke won the game 2-0 with Will Forrester scoring his first goal for the club and Tommy Smith securing the result. Stoke that game let Bournemouth have the majority of the ball but countered well and deserved the win

The last game was more of a contest and Bournemouth got the telling goal at the bet365 Stadium and ran out 1-0 winners back in October

Form (last 4 games)

Stoke

Stoke 3-0 Swansea

Forest 2-2 Stoke

Stoke 2-2 Birmingham 

Stoke 1-2 Luton

Bournemouth 

Barnsley 1-0 Bournemouth 

Bournemouth 0-1 Boreham Wood(cup)

Bournemouth 3-1 Birmingham 

Blackpool 1-2 Bournemouth 

Bournemouth have won 4 of the last 7 games, Where Stoke have only won 3 of the last 9.

Who’s the threat

Bournemouth did well to keep hold of a number of the side that got relegated, notably Dominic Solanke who has 19 goals & 3 assists so far on the league. Philip Billing a player Stoke should of and could of signed a number of years back is also having a good season and controls the midfield, he’s someone we need to win the battles with to inable us to get control of the midfield. 

How could Stoke set up for the game.

Stoke have injury doubts over three players for the trip to Bournemouth. Taylor Harwood-Bellis & Josh Tymon will have late fitness tests as to whether they can play, Philogene-Bidace has a groin issue having been subbed off against Luton. All three could be big blows especially Tyomon as we have no limited competition for the left back spot

What is your score Prediction?